Keyword advertising injunction

The High Court has granted a general injunction across the whole of the EU following a finding of infringement of a Community Trade Mark through the use of keyword advertising. The effect of this blanket injunction is mitigated by the fact that parties can obtain a ruling from the court about the effect of the injunction without the need for fresh proceedings or a contempt application. As the defendant failed to prove that the infringing signs did not affect the trade mark other than in the UK, the general rule applied that the injunction should be EU-wide.